This is the Sixth Christmas movie list. This year, the list is movies that aren’t talked about on an annual basis. A person isn’t drinking cocoa with family and friends, discussing these films. The second container of eggnog has probably been opened. The seasonal beer is probably being consumed. A person in their haste to go to the holiday feast, has probably forgotten their DVD of It’s a Wonderful Life. There are no worries, because you have brought sweet potato casserole, two apple pies,and fine ale. The founder of the feast has every streaming service, known to the western world. After reading this list, you can suggest one of these very different movies.
10.Deck the Halls (2006)
Danny Devito is the unlikeliest of all actors. He rose from television actor to major screen star. This is due to his comic talents. He will never win a Cary Grant lookalike contest. His comic timing is on perfect display. The character he plays,Buddy Hall, is the perfect foil to Mathew Broderick’s character,Steve Finch. Hall is a used car salesman, who moves into the town of Cloverdale, Massachusetts, with his family, in the middle of the night. This annoys Steve, but is only the beginning.
Buddy has plans for Christmas. They aren’t having dinner with family, or helping the needy. His plan is to illuminate his house enough, that it can be seen from space. This sets off Steve. He is the foremost authority on Christmas in town. Steve also has the best decorated house. Buddy Hall’s grand plan sets off a feud between Steve and his new neighbor. Buddy wanting to make amends,gives Steve two gifts: a beautifully decorated tree and a new car. These tokens of friendship, aren’t what they seem. Steve is a nice guy, but not the brightest bulb on the tree. The competition heats up,to include a speed skating race. It is amusing to watch, the lengths that both neighbors will go to win.
The only thing funnier than Devito’s raw comic style,are the sight gags. They involve camels, that are in a live manger scene. There are also fireworks involved. That should be expected, given the plot. There is also the scene where Steve is being directed out of a parking space, by an intoxicated spectator. Steve and Buddy have wives,Tia Hall( Kristin Chenoweth),and Kelly Finch,(Kristin Davis),who are being driven to the brink of insanity, because of their crazy feud. The actresses are support, for Devito and Broderick. It is surprising that both the wives haven’t left their husbands due to their very disturbing behavior.
This movie probably won’t be considered a classic. That is unless shameless behavior and very amusing sight gags, qualify it for a place on AFI’s many lists. A film like this is meant to be enjoyed for what it is. It is a silly comedy, that takes place at Christmas.
9. The Unholy Three (1925)
Lon Chaney is remembered for his roles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. He was supremely talented. He was a great makeup artist. It took a lot to convey things on the silent screen. It seemed almost effortless to him. One of his most underrated movies is The Unholy Three. This was directed by Chaney’s close friend, Tod Browning. The director is famous for helming Dracula. There is an incredible effort put forth by these two men, in telling this bizarre tale.
Chaney plays a carnival ventriloquist named Echo. He makes a living, but isn’t happy. He finds two others, Hercules, (Victor McLagen), and Tweedledee, a dwarf, (Harry Earles). They work in an exotic bird store, selling them to rich people. Chaney poses as a kindly old woman, and Harry Earles as a little baby. This cover of course removes any suspicion. They deliver the bird and rob the house later. A person who is also in on this criminal enterprise, is Rosie O’Grady, (Mae Busch). She is Echo’s girlfriend and was a pickpocket, when working at the circus. Echo is crazy about Mae. She likes him, but doesn’t love him. Mae falls for the unsuspecting sales clerk, Hector McDonald, (Matt Moore). This development drives Echo insane with jealousy. He looks for a way to get rid of his romantic rival.
Echo’s opportunity comes. He did not accompany the gang on a robbery, which takes place on Christmas. The owner of the house was killed by Hercules. The gang members don’t want to take the fall. Echo and his gang frame Hector for the murder. He is arrested and the gang goes into hiding. Mae is heartbroken and leaves to go to Hector. Echo follows her. The heartbroken ventriloquist, attends the trial. He then understands what true love means. This criminal must decide if Shakespeare was right, and conscience makes cowards of us all. This film shows why silent movies have a special place in movie history, and that a special tale could be told with just a camera.
8. Silent Night (2021
Christmas for many is a joyful time. People celebrate by having friends and family over their house for dinner, and pleasant conversation. This is the case in Silent Night. Nell, (Keira Knightley),and Simon, (Matthew Goode), have invited their friends over for dinner. This is not the usual dinner. They allow their children to curse and freely express their opinions. Their son, Art, (Roman Griffin Davis), takes full advantage of this. The other thing is that the guests, and their hosts, all are formally dressed. All of the guests, have as most people do, problems. This should be a day to have a wonderful time. This is not the case.
The government has informed the people, that there is a toxic cloud. It is moving quickly across the world, and will soon envelop Great Britain. The official reason is the atmosphere has been poisoned. A foreign government is blamed. Art doesn’t believe this. He feels it was industry and mankind’s lack of respect for the environment. Art obviously has watched An Inconvenient Truth as much as adults watch their favorite film. The government has declared that the cloud will cause a miserable death. It has dispatched suicide pills to all the people. The question is will Nell and Simon and family, take their pills. Will their guests take the easy way out as well?
This movie written and directed by Camille Griffin, poses questions about government trust. It also is a parallel for the recent pandemic. The other question it raises is the moral question about assisted suicide. What this movie presents is British stoicism. Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode are very good in their portrayals of people facing the end of everything. The good thing is that they aren’t alone. This is not a feel good Christmas movie. A person may not enjoy it, but will appreciate its premise.
7. Scrooged (1988)
A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens masterpiece. This moral tale taking place at Christmas, revived the holiday. It was celebrated in churches. Yuletide had been a large celebration in medieval England, but had lapsed by the time of Dickens story. Charles Dickens began writing his story two months, before its release on Christmas Eve,1843. It was an amazing feat. The tale is based in part on his miserable childhood. There are very few books in modern literature, as celebrated as A Christmas Carol.
The Dickens story has been filmed many times. Scrooged is probably the most different adaptation of the novel. It is set in modern times, with Bill Murray. He plays Frank Cross, a heartless television executive. He fires a staffer, (Eliott Loudermilk, (Bob GoldWaithe) on Christmas Eve, for disagreeing with him. Frank Cross, won’t even let his assistant,Grace Cooley, (Alfre Woodard), go home to spend the holiday with her son and family. His goal, is to present a tacky version of Dickens novel on Christmas Eve. All is going according to plan, until he receives the visit from the spirits. They are played by David Johansen, Carol Kane and Chaz Conner. Kane has made a living playing silly and eccentric parts. her role as the wacky ghost of Christmas Present is no different.
This movie is like all of the versions of Dickens story. We see what drove Frank Cross to become the person that he is. A childhood Christmas is shown. He is looking forward to receiving gifts. His father; an unpleasant man, is a butcher. He gives his son a gift that will never be forgotten. The gift is a prime cut of meat. Frank Cross is then taken to his college years. He meets Claire Phillips, (Karen Allen). She is an idealist. Frank is a realist, and they eventually part ways. Frank gets into television. He plays the star of a kids show, a large dog. Frank, after his dog days are done, climbs to the top of the network ladder. In the present, Frank’s brother is shown lamenting over Frank again not coming for Christmas dinner. Lastly we see the future. Frank Cross sees himself in a cheap wooden box. He is about to be cremated; alive. He wakes up from this nightmare,with a different perspective.
One of the more effective comic things in this movie is Eliott Loudermilk seeking revenge, against Frank. Eliott bears a grudge, and is carrying a shotgun. Murray’s character is desperately trying to escape his vengeance. We also see the tragic side of things. A man who frequents a homeless shelter, freezes to death in the cold. The most interesting thing is how Frank interferes with his production of A Christmas Carol, after his frightening experience. Karen Allen does a solid job as Claire. She never loses hope that the man that she loved can be redeemed. Comedy is hard. The screenplay by Mitch Glazer is an achievement in parody. Richard Donner managed to pull this film together. He took a classic piece of literature, and put a different spin on it.
6. A Midnight Clear (1992)
Hollywood can come up with make believe stories set during Christmas. It has done a credible job with many. There is one setting that is too real. That is the Ardennes forest in Germany. It is December 1944. American forces are observing German movements. Six members of U.S. infantry, are ordered by the high command to scout German troop movements. They are led in this dangerous mission by Sgt. Will Knott, (Ethan Hawke). This small group occupy an abandoned house. This is their base of operations.
They carry out their mission. The house has all the comforts of home. They are able to take a hot bath. They find good food. They even find wine. They enjoy themselves as much as possible. Time goes by with nothing happening. One day that changes. A small group of German soldiers appears outside. These battle weary soldiers don’t wish to fight. They want to surrender. They are tired of fighting. The men share some food and drink. They come up with a plan. The enemy can’t just enjoy warm beds, a bath and food. The soldiers will stage a surrender. Everything seems good. The only problem is that one of the Americans was on patrol, and missed the meeting. He sees the nazi’s and begins firing. The enemy fires back. This causes chaos, and results in tragedy.
A movie like this, doesn’t bring forth the Christmas spirit. What it does is show how war can disrupt and destroy lives. The director, Keith Gordon,gives an image of war, that Hollywood often misses. It is brutal and causes suffering. The joy of Christmas gives way to the grim reaper. This tale was adapted from the William Wharton novel, by the director. The dialogue is especially good when the soldiers are discussing what to do about their voluntary P.O.W.’s. Christmas movies are filled with many images. They are mostly happy. A movie like A Midnight Clear, brings home a stark reality. The movie industry does step away from happy things and fantasy many times. A film like A Midnight Clear gives a good example of that.
5. Krampus (2015)
Everybody is familiar with that jolly old elf, Santa Claus. We know him best from his depiction in a 1931 soft drink ad. He brings toys to all good girls and boys. Kris Kringle has another variation. This is a demonic version of him, known as Krampus. His mission is to visit those lacking in the Christmas spirit. This is the tale of what can happen to those who have no feelings of good cheer.
Max,(Emjay Anthony) writes a letter to Santa Claus. His family begins arguing, which angers and upsets him. This chaos makes Max tear up the letter. This action by a little boy, is a summons to Krampus. He arrives much like the chubby guy in the red suit. The demon even has elves. They are not the happy toy makers. Instead they are intent on bringing fear and terror to Max’s family. This includes his parents, Tom,(Adam Scott) and Sarah, (Toni Collette). The cast also includes Howard (David Koechner) and Aunt Dorothy (Conchata Ferrell), who is best known as the maid on Two and a Half Men. Howard is someone who won’t give up the fight. He fires a shotgun aimlessly at murderous gingerbread men. The little animated cookies fire a nail gun at him. Aunt Dorothy tries to be a calming influence. She is tranquil due to her love of alcohol. she even shows the kids how to make a good drink. Ferrell does entertain and almost laughs at the dangerous situation. There is also the German grandmother, Omi, (Krista Stadler). She has a secret. Her family was visited by the demon, when she was a little girl. She hid from him, while her family was taken. She has possession of a strange ornament, that the demon leaves. Omi and the boy have disturbing and frightening conversations regarding this anti-Santa Claus. Unlike his grandmother, Max has the heart of a hero, and is not frightened.
This film is amusing and scary. The movie is made scarier because it takes place at night. Michael Dougherty, a veteran of horror movies, directed this film. He effectively shows that there is no way out. While other families are enjoying a visit from Santa Claus, this one is experiencing terror. The family is not portrayed as one capable of redemption. They are hopeless, but not helpless. This film can boast of a twisted sense of humor. The cinematographer,Jules O’Loughlin, has established the terror. The film shows mass confusion in darkness, and the action is fast paced. Krampus will definitely make you think twice about being naughty.
4. The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
This movie is a loosely based sequel to Cat People. The star of the film is Ann Carter, who plays Amy Reed. The young girl is the daughter of Kent Reed and his second wife Alice. Reed’s first wife, was a cat person, literally. The Reed’s daughter is a lonely child with no close friends. She retreats into her own world. She invites her classmates to her birthday party. They don’t show, claiming they never received an invitation. Her one friend, is the family servant, Edward, (Sir Lancelot). The family does have a birthday cake for her.
Amy wanders one day into an old house, at the beckoning of the reclusive actress,Miss Callahan, (Eve March). The two develop a bond. The actress even performs The Story of the Headless Horseman. This story of course gives Amy a nightmare. She is consoled by the spirit of her father’s late wife, Irena. Amy continues to see Irena in the backyard. Sadly nobody believes the poor child. Her father, upon hearing his daughter describe her new friend, wants her to recant her story. This doesn’t work. On Christmas Eve, Amy leaves her house to present a gift to her ghostly friend and Miss Callahan. The old actress daughter, Barbara Farren,(Elizabeth Russell) has a poisoned relationship with her mother. She is very jealous of Amy. She has threatened to kill her if she returns. Barbara is determined to carry out her threat, when the girl returns. Amy’s parents have discovered she is missing and go searching for her with the police.
The Curse of the Cat People is a ghost story. It isn’t quite as effectively scary as Cat People. The writer, DeWitt Bodeen has still done well with a Christmas ghost story. It effectively contrasts family love with hatred and jealousy. This was also Robert Wise’s first time behind a camera. He has done a credible job, conveying the mood of the film. It is interesting with Amy able to find two surrogate mothers in Irena and Miss Callahan. This is a very different but effective story about a sad and confused child, trying to find happiness at Christmas.
3. Trading Places (1983)
Eddie Murphy was one of a few alums of Saturday Night Live, who hit the big time. This is his second movie. He stars opposite Dan Akroyd. He is an example of someone who managed to make a living in the industry. Akroyd never became a mega star. The two play off each other. Murphy plays con artist Billy Ray Valentine. Akroyd plays Louis Winthorpe III, a successful commodities broker. Their worlds will soon intersect.
Louis works for a company called Duke and Duke. It is owned by the brothers Randolph Duke, (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer Duke, (Don Ameche). They are so unscrupulous, that Darth Vader would be appalled by them. They make a bet on what would happen if Winthorpe and Valentine’s fortunes were changed. They frame Winthorpe for a crime, and he is arrested. They put up the bail money for Valentine,that Winthorpe had arrested, and proceed to show him the ropes of being a broker. Winthrorpe loses everything, including his girlfriend, Penelope Witherspoon, (Kristin Holby). His only servant, Coleman,(Denholm Elliott), even shuns him. Winthorpe’s only friend is a hooker,Ophelia, (Jamie Leigh Curtis), who was hired to ruin him. Curtis,was a scream queen until this movie. She proves that her acting skills have a broad range. Winthorpe begins to get his life in order. He runs into Valentine again. Winthorpe explains to Valentine, that the Duke brothers couldn’t care less about him. They proceed, along with Ophelia,with an elaborate plan to destroy the Duke brothers.
This movie isn’t family fare. That is one of the reasons it makes this list. Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd have shown they have comedy chops. It is one reason why Eddie Murphy became one of the biggest names in film comedy. The veteran actors, Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, are true villains. They use Billy Ray Valentine, for their meager bet, and don’t have any compassion for Winthorpe. They don’t even have love for each other, just money. Trading Places, despite it being different, can give you a good feeling about the holiday
2. Last Christmas (2019)
Emilia Clarke became a television sensation on Game of Thrones as Daenerys Targaryen. She is quite an actress. Her range is proven in this film set in London at Christmas. There are so many people in the world, who have lost their way. Last Christmas shows this. It also gives a feeling of hope, which so many films about the holiday don’t. This movie shows various sides of London, and a man who is able to bring hope.
Kate, (Emilia Clarke) is a woman who works in a year long Christmas shop,called Yuletide. She dresses as an elf, and works for a woman named Santa, (Michelle Yeoh). Kate had a serious heart ailment the year before, and wanders aimlessly in life. She disrupts the lives of people who give her lodging. Her boss keeps her on because of how good she was at her job. Kate’s real goal is to become a singer, and perform in musicals. This hasn’t worked well for her. Her bouncing from house to house leads her back to her parents, Petra and Ivan. Her sister, Marta, (Lydia Leonard), tells Kate, that she is seeking attention after her illness. Kate responds by outing Marta. This of course causes a major disruption.
Kate doesn’t know what to do, she wanders the London streets. It is here that she meets Tom, (Henry Golding). He is a charming person, with a zest for life. Tom takes Kate to a skating rink, and they are both enjoying it. Unfortunately, the rink is closed. They are chased out by a security guard, running into the street, wearing their skates. They have a laugh about it. Tom takes Kate to a homeless shelter, where he volunteers at night. This shows Kate the other side of life. It then gives her purpose, and she develops a connection. She even puts on a talent show with the shelter residents. Tom and Kate develop a bond, but then Tom disappears. The weird thing is most people at the shelter don’t recall seeing him.
A movie can be effective for a variety of reasons. The acting can be great. The film can have screenwriting that gives tremendous dialogue. It can just be a movie that is pleasing to the eye. Last Christmas has fine acting. The most important thing is that it tugs at your heart. This comes through in movies like It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie is also a much softer version of A Christmas Carol. Last Christmas should be seen by anyone who loves a good Christmas movie. Who doesn’t like that?
1. The Thin Man (1934)
A person wouldn’t think a movie about a martini loving detective would say Christmas. The Thin Man does. This first entry, based on the Dashiel Hammett book, is set during the holiday season. It’s premise of a seemingly unsolvable murder, makes for an entertaining film. The Christmas party thrown by Nick and Nora Charles, played by William Powell and Myrna Loy, is very different. The two leads, serve drinks to their guests. The guests, having enjoyed their share of liquor, then sing a familiar song of the holiday. Their skewed version of O Christmas tree, will make you appreciate the classic versions. The movie is also filled with eccentric characters, many of whom become murder suspects.
A famous inventor, Clyde Wynant, (Edward Ellis), disappears after his girlfriend is murdered. His daughter, Dorothy Wynant, (Maureen O’Sullivan), has asked former detective, Nick Charles, to locate him. He is reluctant to take the case.
Charles has just returned from California, after four years with his wife. Nora persuades him saying they will have fun working on it. The police are investigating the homicide. Their conclusion is that the vanished inventor is the killer. During their investigation, there are two more murders. They are linked to Clyde Wynant. Nick Charles’ analytical mind senses that there is something wrong. He does some sleuthing, and discovers that Wynant’s body was buried in the warehouse. Charles convinces Lt. John Guild,(Nat Pendleton, that the killer can be found. Charles with the Lts. approval throws a dinner party, inviting all of the suspects.
This film, no matter how many times it is watched, still entertains. The rapport between William Powell and Myrna Loy is very enjoyable, and shows two opposites, very much in love. They give each other sneers of disapproval, when not liking what the other has said. Their consumption of martini’s only adds to the fun. On Christmas, we see Nora greet a guest in her finest dress. She has an ice pack on her head from too much merriment at the Christmas Eve party. Nick although not hungover, displays unusual behavior. He is shooting the party balloons with an air gun. Maureen O’Sullivan is good in her role. She also became famous. She was Jane opposite Tarzan, in many films. The Thin Man also gave Myrna Loy,instant stardom. William Powell was a known actor, but became famous. His later roles, after The Thin Man Series were Life With Father and Doc in Mister Roberts. The Thin Man, is a comedy of sorts. It makes the list because of its difference and timelessness.
This list required of course many hours of viewing different movies. This is always enjoyable. It,like the other lists required much thought and careful deliberation. It was a different list. These movies are shown, but they are not celebrated. There will be discussion during dinner or after about favorite Christmas movies. White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life will pop up in people’s heads. They should. They are meaningful and heartwarming stories. Krampus won’t. You can try to convince your host, that Krampus,is a sentimental piece of fluff. You deserve congratulations if you do. The occupation that suits you is a used car salesman. This list should be watched and perhaps one or two of these movies make your list. Happy viewing and Merry Christmas!!